John Swadley | Matthew 1:18-25

The Christmas story we think we know contains a scandal we often overlook. Matthew's account reveals Joseph as a 'sadiq'—a righteous man fully committed to God's law—facing an impossible choice. When Mary becomes pregnant before their marriage, the law demands public stoning. Yet Joseph's righteousness transcends mere rule-following. He plans to divorce her quietly, protecting her dignity even at great personal cost. When God confirms Mary's story through an angel, Joseph faces his greatest test: marry Mary and lose his reputation forever, or maintain his standing in the community. Joseph chooses love over reputation, tying his destiny to a scandal that would follow him and Jesus for decades. This untold Christmas love story teaches us that true righteousness isn't just about correct behavior—it's about extending grace to those who fall short. We're challenged to examine our own hearts: when someone doesn't measure up to God's standards, do we pick up stones of judgment, or do we offer the same scandalous grace that God has given us? This Christmas, we're invited to choose Jesus over our reputations, just as Joseph did, understanding that our faith is ultimately about God's grace, not our perfection.

John Swadley | Luke 1:5-20

This powerful message takes us into the story of Zechariah from Luke chapter 1, a priest who struggled with doubt despite his faithful service to God. We encounter a man who was blameless before God yet experienced the deep pain of unanswered prayers—he and his wife Elizabeth desperately wanted children but remained childless into old age. When an angel appears to announce that Elizabeth will bear a son, Zechariah's response is telling: 'How can I be sure?' This question becomes the skeptic's motto, and it's a question many of us have asked in our own spiritual journeys. The beauty of this narrative is that God doesn't reject Zechariah for his doubts—instead, God blesses him anyway. We learn that God doesn't love doubt, but He deeply loves doubters. This message reminds us that faith isn't the absence of doubt; it's obeying God in spite of our doubts. Whether our skepticism comes from our upbringing, our personality, or painful life experiences, we can still nurture our relationship with God, look for His activity around us, and give Him a chance to surprise us. The story challenges us to jump into the arms of God, trusting that He's never dropped anyone who's taken that leap of faith.

John Swadley | 1 Peter 5:1-7

This message from 1 Peter 5 challenges us to examine what makes a church truly healthy by looking at both leadership and followership through God's eyes. We're reminded that the church doesn't belong to any human leader—it belongs to God. The passage calls spiritual leaders to shepherd willingly, not for personal gain or power, but as humble examples who serve rather than dominate. What's striking is how Peter, himself an apostle, identifies as a 'fellow elder,' showing us that great leadership begins with humility. For those of us in the congregation, we're called to clothe ourselves with humility too, supporting our leaders while keeping our ultimate trust in God. The most powerful truth here is verse 7: 'casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.' Whether we're worried about our personal lives or concerned about our church, we're invited to cast those cares on God and leave them there—not to keep reeling them back in like a fishing line. This isn't about blind submission to flawed humans; it's about recognizing that God is big enough to handle whatever challenges we face. When both leaders and followers humble themselves before God, the church becomes a place where His glory shines through imperfect people.

John Swadley | Colossians 2:13-14

This message takes us deep into the heart of the gospel through Colossians 2:13-14, using powerful imagery that resonates with our human experience of guilt and the desperate need for cleansing. The sermon opens with a vivid childhood memory of falling into a cesspool—a visceral metaphor for how sin makes us feel dirty on the inside, desperate to be washed clean. We're invited to confront our own guilt honestly, not to wallow in condemnation, but to experience the liberating truth that Jesus paid it all on the cross. The message unpacks three transformative realities: Jesus made us spiritually alive through the new birth, He forgave all our sins completely, and He canceled the debt we could never pay. The Ten Commandments are presented not as a way to earn salvation, but as a mirror showing us our need for a Savior. Like the Irish custom of nailing debts to a public board, our sins were nailed to the cross with Christ, and His blood wrote 'paid in full' across every transgression. This isn't about religion or trying harder—it's about receiving the gift of forgiveness that transforms dead spirits into living ones, adopted into God's family forever.

John Swadley | John 17:20-23

Unity isn’t just a nice idea; Jesus treated it like a supernatural power source. This message digs into John 17 and the opening chapters of Acts, where Jesus prays that His people would be one just as He and the Father are one. That prayer wasn’t just for the disciples in the upper room — it’s for us right now.

This isn’t about agreeing on everything. It’s about choosing the same mission and letting go of the ego battles that hold us back. The Trinity itself models this rhythm of joyful deference — the Spirit lifting up the Son, the Son glorifying the Father.

The challenge is simple and uncomfortable: Will we choose unity so God can move… or let small disagreements rob us of what He wants to do?

Chad Thompson | Joshua 1:1-9

This week’s message offers a timely and challenging reminder of the Great Commission and our calling to active discipleship. Drawing from Joshua 1, we see God repeat the command to be strong and courageous—four times—because He knew Joshua would face real fear. In the same way, we are encouraged to step beyond comfort and into obedience.

The central truth is clear: God has chosen to use His people to reach the world, and there is no alternate plan. Our faith isn’t meant to stop at consuming spiritual content or knowing God’s commands; it’s meant to be lived out in obedience. The illustration of multiplication was especially striking—one disciple who makes disciples can impact over a billion people in 30 years, while leading someone to Christ daily reaches only a fraction of that. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s design is both intentional and transformative.

This message invites us to evaluate whether we are truly following Jesus or simply going through familiar routines. Are we known for His love and hope, or for lesser things that distract us from our mission? Ultimately, we are called to turn from wandering, embrace the adventure of being sent, and remember that as long as we have breath, God has purpose for us in His kingdom.

John Swadley | Acts 4:31-35

This week’s message flips our idea of “church” upside down. From Ephesians 2:19-20, we’re reminded that church isn’t a building, a program, or a religious chore. It’s the household of God — a family built on the foundation of the apostles with Jesus as the cornerstone. Christianity was never designed to be a solo project; it’s a team sport where we actually belong to one another. The New Testament gives us over 30 commands we can’t obey alone, which means walking away from church because of hurt is like swearing off all food because one restaurant served you something nasty. We’re not foreigners or outsiders anymore. We’re fellow citizens in God’s kingdom, welcomed into His home and His people.

Jesus takes what we do for His family personally, and Matthew 25:40 makes that unmistakable: whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him. This message calls us back to the heart of a healthy church family — one marked by gladness in gathering, growth both spiritually and numerically, and grace that never runs dry. None of us deserve to be here, yet every one of us is invited in.

John Swadley | Ephesians 2:19-20

What if we’ve been seeing church through the wrong lens? This message from Ephesians 2:19–20 flips the script—reminding us that the church isn’t an institution, it’s a family. We’re not just attendees or spectators; we’re brothers and sisters, citizens of God’s household, built on Christ as our cornerstone. When we treat faith like a solo mission, we miss the point—because Christianity was never meant to be done alone. Even when church gets messy or hard, we’re called to stay rooted in community, offering gladness, growth, and grace. Because in the end, what we do for the church, we do for Christ Himself.

Jason Taylor | Romans 12:1-2

What if worship isn’t something we do—but the way we live? This message from Romans 12:1-2 flips the script on our Sunday routines, calling us to worship God with every part of our lives. We were made to worship, yet sin keeps pushing us to idolize everything else—our comfort, our careers, even good things like family or ministry. True worship means surrendering it all, letting Jesus be not just first on our list but the entire list. When we die to self and live in awe of a holy God, our daily lives become altars—and our Sunday worship becomes an overflow of His power and presence.

John Swadley | Acts 16:27-31

Pastor John Swadley reminds us that sharing Jesus isn’t just a duty — it’s the heartbeat of a healthy church. Through stories of a rotten tomato, a businesswoman, a fortune-teller, and a Roman jailer, he paints a vivid truth: everyone needs Jesus — the good, the bad, and the ordinary.

Good people need Jesus because morality can’t erase sin. Bad people, even those who feel beyond saving, can find grace. And ordinary people — like the jailer who nearly gave up on life — can find purpose and peace through faith in Christ.

This message drives home one clear call: stop assuming who’s “too good” or “too far gone.” The gospel is for everyone. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — then go and share that good news with the world.  

John Swadley | Galatians 5:13-26

A Spirit-led life isn’t about rules; it’s about relationship. When the Holy Spirit leads, freedom becomes service, not selfishness. We stop living to please ourselves and start reflecting Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The message calls us to stop operating on autopilot and start walking in step with the Spirit. Step where He leads, and the light comes on under your feet. The greatest decision is trusting Jesus for salvation. The second greatest? Choosing daily to live in Spirit mode.

John Swadley | Ephesians 2:10

In this week’s message, Pastor John challenges the church to leave the “luxury box” of comfort and get out on the field. Citing Ephesians 2:10, he reminds us that we’re not spectators—we’re God’s workmanship, created for good works that He prepared long before we were born.

Through stories of real people—from a volunteer who changed a life with a donated car seat to a teacher who crawled up stairs to reach her Sunday School class—the sermon paints a clear picture: serving isn’t optional; it’s who we were made to be.

We’re God’s team, each with unique talents perfectly designed for His work. The happiest people in the church aren’t the ones sitting in the stands—they’re the ones serving. Because when you pick up a servant’s towel, you start to look a lot more like Jesus.

John Swadley | Revelation 2:1-5

This week kicks off our new series, Marks of a Healthy Church, with a powerful reminder from Revelation 2:1-5. The church at Ephesus had great works, strong doctrine, and perseverance under pressure—but Jesus said they had lost their first love.

Through stories about camping trips, drifting currents, and even cereal-box prizes, Pastor John reminds us that our faith can quickly grow cold if we don’t deliberately stoke the fire of our devotion. First love is marked by passion, sacrifice, and an all-consuming preoccupation with Jesus. Without it, we risk robotic service, dry spiritual lives, and broken relationships.

At the heart of it all, a healthy church is a church that truly, deeply loves Jesus first.

John Swadley | Matthew 4:1-11

This week’s message dives into how God’s Word gives us the real power to change. Too often we try to fight temptation with the wrong tools—like using a tape measure to loosen a bolt—but Jesus shows us the right one: Scripture. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus didn’t argue, explain, or compromise. He simply said, “It is written.”

This sermon challenges us to store up God’s Word in our hearts so we’re ready to face temptation and walk in freedom.

John Swadley | Matthew 7:24-29

In this message from Matthew 7:24–29, we’re reminded that spiritual growth isn’t about stacking up more knowledge—it’s about putting God’s Word into action. Jesus says the wise build on rock, not sand, and the difference is obedience. Hearing His words is step one. Living them out is step two.

Flat faith happens when we only listen but never apply. But when we actually obey Jesus’ commands—loving enemies, forgiving, giving generously—our faith gains strength to withstand any storm. True discipleship is less about information and more about transformation.

At the heart of it all is not just believing something but believing Someone. Our faith is in Him. And the key to continual growth is simple: hear His words, do His words, and watch your relationship with Christ come alive.

John Swadley | 2 Peter 1:16

Is the Bible just a cleverly made-up story, or is it the truth? In this message from 2 Peter 1:16, we’re reminded that Scripture isn’t myth—it’s eyewitness testimony backed by history, prophecy, and life-changing power. From Peter’s bold witness to fulfilled prophecies and the Bible’s raw honesty about human nature, the evidence is clear: God’s Word can be trusted. This sermon challenges us not just to believe the Bible, but to live it.

John Swadley | Luke 15:11-24

In this week’s message, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unforgettable stories—the Prodigal Son. It’s more than a tale of rebellion; it’s a picture of the Father’s heart. The younger son runs wild, loses everything, and expects only rejection. Instead, his father runs to meet him, taking on the shame himself so his boy can come home. That’s the gospel: a God who doesn’t wait for us to clean up, but races toward us with compassion.

But the story doesn’t end there. The older brother shows us another danger—self-righteousness. You can live by the rules and still be far from the Father’s heart. Both sons needed grace, and so do we. The good news? Whether you’re a rebel or a rule-keeper, the invitation is the same: come home.

John Swadley | Psalm 119:97-105

We all drop everything to check a text message, but what if we treated God’s Word the same way? In this opening message of the Text Messages from God series, we’re reminded that Scripture isn’t just ancient words on a page—it’s God’s personal message to us.

Drawing from Psalm 119, we see five life-changing truths about God’s “text”: it protects us, makes us wise, brings us closer to Him, cleans up our lives, and guides our steps. Just as David discovered, God’s Word is not outdated—it’s more relevant than ever, shaping our values, strengthening us against enemies, and lighting the path forward when life feels dark.

The challenge is simple: give time this week to actually read God’s text message. Approach it with an open heart, obey what you understand, and let His words become sweeter than honey and brighter than any screen. God has texted you—are you going to read it?

John Swadley | Acts 19:1-5

Baptism isn’t a church ritual to check off—it’s a celebration of new life in Christ. Pastor John unpacks Acts 19, where Paul meets disciples who had only received John’s baptism of repentance. When they finally heard the truth about Jesus, they were baptized in His name.

Baptism, he explains, is like a wedding ring: it doesn’t make you married, but it shows the world you belong to someone. It’s not salvation, but a public declaration of it. Jesus Himself was baptized, not because He needed saving, but to “fulfill all righteousness”—and He calls us to follow His example.

Baptism is joy, not duty. It’s saying to the world, “I belong to Jesus!” 

Jon Smith

Life is full of interruptions—some are divine opportunities, others are devilish disruptions. In this message, we explore the life of Caleb, a man whose “different spirit” kept his faith burning bright for decades through delays, detours, and disappointments. Discover three keys to keeping your fire for God alive: trusting Him completely, persevering patiently, and seizing the moment when opportunity comes. Whether you’re in a season of waiting or ready to climb your mountain, this message will challenge you to live with a faith that doesn’t fade.